Trains in Italy

In Italy the extensive train network takes you from the ancient relics of Pompeii to the picturesque Umbrian countryside, along the spectacular Tuscan coastline or the beautiful islands of Sicily and Sardinia.

Visit Italy's most famous cities Rome, Venice, Florence and Milan by regional, high-speed or night train with a Eurail pass and get great views from the train window along the way.

Train types in Italy

A range of Italian trains will transport you across the whole of Italy and its islands, and to and from other European countries by day and night. The majority of the Italian network is operated by Trenitalia. Use the Eurail train timetable or Trenitalia timetable to check times for trains in Italy.

Regional trains in Italy

Italy's regional and InterCity trains operate frequent services across the whole of Italy, including routes through the islands of Sardinia and Sicily. It’s on these trains that you’ll meet Italians going about their daily lives.

InterCity trains connect key cities like Rome, Milan, Venice and Florence. They are relatively fast and make fewer stops than regional trains.

On the Eurail timetable InterCity trains are listed as "IC", and Trenitalia regional trains as "R". Trenord regional trains are only shown on the Trenitalia timetable and not on the Eurail timetable. They are named "Regionale". Regional trains do not require seat reservations. Reservations are however recommended for InterCity trains during high season (May - September) and public holidays.

High-speed trains in Italy

Le Frecce trains (formerly known as Eurostar Italia) are Trenitalia’s modern and comfortable high-speed trains that get you to all the popular Italian cities. All trains have: air-conditioning, large luggage racks, power sockets for electronic devices, plus refreshments and usually a restaurant car.

Frecciargento connects Rome to the main cities in the northeast and south of Italy.

Frecciabianca connects Turin and Milan to Italian cities in the northeast of Italy.

On the Eurail timetable Frecciarossa trains are shown as "FR", Frecciargento as "FA" and Frecciabianca as "FB". The Trenitalia timetable lists the specific Italian name, e.g. "Frecciarossa". These trains always require a seat reservation.

Night trains in and between Italy

International night trains:

Night trains connect Italy with Austria, Germany and Spain, saving you travel time and money.

Eurail passes are not valid on the Thello as it is operated by a private railway company.

Domestic night trains:

Travel between the north and south of Italy by night, saving you precious travel time while you sleep.There is a domestic night train operating in Italy:

InterCity Notte: Milan – Genova – Pisa – Livorno – Salerno – Catania (Sicily). This is a unique journey as the train is transported by boat across the Strait of Messina.

Euronight Allegro and Toscana Mare trains appear on the Eurail timetable as "EN". City Night Line appears as "CNL". InterCity Notte appears on the Eurail timetable as "ICN". On the Trenitalia timetable it is simply listed as "InterCityNotte". You are required to book sleeping accommodation in advance.

Scenic train routes in Italy

Reservations for trains in Italy

Trenitalia regional trains do not require reservations. As for the InterCity trains you only need to reserve a seat during the busy summer period (May-September) and on public holidays. If you want to travel between Italy's cities on high-speed Le Frecce trains, you'll need to make a reservation in advance. Reservations are also required for night trains; prices depend on the type of sleeping accommodation you choose. All the trains listed above are included in the Eurail Italy Pass, you only need to make reservations for the trains mentioned.

Please note that the number of seats available for Eurail pass holders is limited on the following high-speed train:

TGV (Paris – Milan)

Tickets for the TGV route between Milan and Paris can't be bought at Italian train stations.
There's a RailEurope office close to Milan Central station (Milano Centrale). Here you can book the TGV from Milan to Paris or get help finding alternative routes.

Address: Via Vitruvio 1. 20124 Milano
Phone number: +39 0240 32 6435

The office is a 15-minute walk from Milan Central Station.

We recommend that you make reservations for the high season (May to September) and European holidays as soon as possible. Make reservations up to 3 months in advance. To check availability for the train, contact a booking center or visit a European railway station.

In case a train is fully booked for pass holders you can:

Check our alternative routes.

Buy a full-fare ticket (saving you a travel day if this is the only train you take that day).

Domestic connections in Italy

View approximate train travel times between Italy's top cities using regional and high-speed trains:

From

To

High-speed train

Regional train

Rome

Florence

1hr 30min

3hr 30min

Rome

Milan

3hr

9hr

Rome

Venice

4hr

8hr

Florence

Milan

2hr

5hr

Florence

Venice

2hr

4hr

Pisa

Florence

-

1hr

Venice

Milan

-

2hr 30min

international-connections

International train connections to and from Italy

We suggest the following routes to travel between Italy and other European countries:

France – Italy
Take the French SNCF regional train to Ventimiglia on the Italian border, followed by a direct InterCity train to Milan (4hr) or Genova (2hr), where you can connect to trains across Italy.View more train routes between France and Italy.

Austria – Italy
Arrive in Venice from Innsbruck (7hr 30min) on the City Night Line night train, or take the EuroNight Allegro night train from Vienna to Milan (14hr), Venice (12hr) or Rome (14hr). There is also a EuroCity day train between Innsbruck and Venice (5hr).
Travel for free on MICOTRA trains on the route Udine – Villach.

Germany – Italy
Travel from Munich to Venice (9hr) on the City Night Line night train, or travel by day on EuroCity between Munich and Venice.

Slovenia – Italy
Take a regional train from the Slovenian city Jessenice to the Italian border town Gorizia, and connect with another regional train to Trieste (4hr) or Venice (5hr).

International ferry routes to and from Italy

You can also travel to and from Italy by ferry. Certain ferries are discounted or free for Eurail pass holders.

Spain – Italy
Travel by ferry from Barcelona in Spain to Livorno, Civitavecchia and Porto Torres (Sardinia) in Italy with Grimaldi Lines. Get a 20% discount with Eurail Italy Pass.

Greece – Italy
Sail with Minoan Lines from Igoumenitsa or Patras in Greece to Ancona on Italy's Adriatic coast. Get free and discounted travel with a Eurail Italy Pass.